Newton Town Council Introduces Electric Bike and Scooter Ordinance

NEWTON, NJ – Town council members voted to introduce an ordinance regulating electric bikes and scooters at their meeting on September 23. The ordinance covers two- or three-wheel motorized bicycles, whether or not the rider has to pedal to have the bike move and motorized electric scooters.

The ordinance affirms the bicycle rider must:

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• follow traffic rules
• follow age recommendations of the bicycle’s manufacture
• wear a helmet if they are 17-years-old or younger unless riding a motorized electric bicycle in which case all ages must wear a helmet
• not go faster than 19 mph on an electric bicycle or scooter or faster than 28 mph for a motorized electric bicycle
• not be used to carry more than one person at a time

The electric bicycles and scooters are prohibited from being ridden on the sidewalks.

Electric bicycle riders are not allowed to carry packages, phones or anything that keeps them from putting both hands on the handle bars.

Any electric bicycles ridden at night must have a white light on the front and red light on the back and have a kickstand to hold them up when parked.

Electric bicycles and scooters can only be parked/attached a bike rack but may not be attached to a municipal bike racks for no more than four days without use. They can be parked in designated electric bicycle and scooter areas if available but may not be left on the sidewalk or blocking pedestrians.

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Electric bicycles and scooters that are rented can only be used by the person who rented it - no sharing.

Newton residents may register the electric bicycle or scooter with the Newton Police Department.

The ordinance includes penalties for violations. A fine of $100 for nonmoving violations and up to 15 days in jail under certain circumstances.

The ordinance will have a hearing and vote at a subsequent town council meeting.

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